Mr. Bennett’s Blog: Do You Believe in Making New Year’s Resolutions?

I’ve never be a fan of making New Year’s resolutions.

In fact, the word “resolutions” has always carried a negative connotation.

That said, at the start of a new calendar year, I do evaluate my personal, professional and spiritual life. And then, I simply own up to my shortcomings and try to improve.

Examining my personal and spiritual life is something I do with the Lord. He already knows my mistakes and shortcomings, but He also knows the successes I have had.

He knows I am seeking through prayer and other means the strength to walk in His will each day. But He always knows that as hard as I try not to, I lose my focus on seeking His will for my life — no resolution is going to help me find my way back to His path for my life.

That only happens when I recognize my transgressions and seek His forgiveness.

I do want to share with you what’s going on in my professional life and what I hope is being accomplished at Arkansas Baptist under my leadership as superintendent and elementary principal. After all, it does affect you.

But before listing what I hope is being accomplished, I know there are areas where improvement is needed. Some of the improvement needs to come with better leadership from me. There are also areas where improvement needs to come from parents and teachers.

I am seeking wisdom from God as to how all of us can make the changes. I do believe we are making great strides.

This is what I hope is happening at Arkansas Baptist:

• Supporting parents in their role by providing the best staff, curriculum and environment for their children
• Selecting and developing rock-solid academic curriculum based on Biblical perspectives and a Christian world view
• Presenting the Bible as the living, life-changing Word of God
• Employing faculty and staff members who are committed to Christ and who regard their work as a ministry to the students and their parents
• Establishing and maintaining a high standard of conduct based on Biblical principles
• Fostering and developing growth of character
• Developing a good balance between emotional, mental, physical, social and spiritual growth of the students
• Promoting a positive self-concept in each student based on the value God places on each one of them.

Leading our school is a great honor and an enormous responsibility. The key to success for me is knowing that Arkansas Baptist isn’t just our school, but it is God’s school.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Serving as superintendent and elementary principal keeps me busy. I don’t always find the time to attend the high school chapel programs. However, this past week I found myself sitting with 355 students and nearly 50 teachers and staff members.

Our guest speaker focused on how to put the true meaning back into Christmas. His message: Be quiet, be still and focus on the real reason for the Christmas. His words confirmed my thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, I have spent most of my adult life disliking the Christmas season. I know, it sounds alarming coming from the superintendent of a Christian School , but it’s true — just ask my wife. Many years, my bah-humbug attitude caused her to call me an old Scrooge.

I, of course, had my reasons (some may sound familiar):

Shopping, long lines and traffic

All the fuss over what to buy people we rarely see

Putting up and taking down a Christmas tree

Dragging out all the decorations and then returning them to the attic or top of the closet

Trying to get all the lights on the tree work.

All the over-eating; the ensuing weight and guilt

But, can I really be a follower of Christ and dislike the celebration of Christmas? Well, no.

The truth is I don’t dislike Christmas or the season at all — actually I love Christmas! As Christians, we revisit the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ by reading or listening to the Christmas story as presented in the New Testament or by singing carols, which have such wonderful meaning. It is a reminder for me to give and serve others just as Christ did for me.

It is a time to reflect on my own relationship with my Savior. To truly be quiet, be still and focus on what is important in my life. These are the things that truly bring me joy during the Christmas season. Yes, I will give and receive presents. After all, Christmas is about giving and receiving as the birth of Christ was a present to all mankind.

I encourage everyone to join me in taking the time this year to be quiet, still and focus on the real joys of the Christmas season. If we do, we will all have a “Happy New Year!”

Becoming Involved With Your Own and Others

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)

We know that a child does better in school when parents are involved with his or her education. I’ve said it many times, and firmly believe, that one of the reasons Arkansas Baptist is so successful is because our students, teachers and parents approach education with an all-hands-on-deck mentality.

I see it everyday when I visit our classrooms, but that isn’t where the learning ends. Our parents engage their children by talking with them about the school day and taking a genuine interest in what they’re learning. They dig in and spend time checking home work and learning many of the school activities their children bring home.

Not only do our parents make it a priority to communicate with our teachers, but they also attend school events and volunteer in the classrooms and other school organizations. As superintendent, I’m always looking for new and creative ways to involve our parents.

Learning to Serve

While we ask parents to be involved with their children and their school, it is equally important for our students to become involved in serving others. At Arkansas Baptist, we encourage our students to make a difference in other people’s lives. Our students’ accomplishments in the classroom and athletics are known throughout Central Arkansas. But, less known is the fact that our students also spend countless hours using their God-given gifts and talents helping others — many of them do it year-round and without recognition.

It may be a project such as collecting, delivering and serving food to the homeless, raking leaves for the elderly or teaching in Bible clubs in Mexico or South Korea. However, sometimes it’s as simple as one student helping another student with his school work or reflecting Christ’s love.

I’ve learned a lot about kindness, patience and understanding by watching our students, and it’s an honor to be part of a school that values the right things.

Choices for prospective parents

I have always been intrigued by why parents choose one private school over another.  Last year I interviewed 10 randomly selected kindergarten parents.  Those parents chose Arkansas Baptist as the school for their first child.  I asked them why they chose Arkansas Baptist.   Later on in the interview, I asked them why they thought other parents chose to send their children to other private schools?

I learned there was no one reason for choosing a particular school.  However, according to these parents, two major factors surfaced above others.  One, where the families attended church, and  two, where their friends sent their children to school.

This answer took me by surprise.  The so-called private school experts contend that most parents select a school based on several other factors, such as whether the school is Christian or secular, school’s  size, student-teacher ratio, academic strength and the number of extracurricular programs. The experts say that cost and location are extremely important as well.  All are good reasons.

However, according to those I interviewed, those factors were secondary to most parents searching for a school. I couldn’t help but wonder if the choice of a school is more about the parents than the children?

Just a couple weeks ago, a potential kindergarten parent told me how much she liked what she saw happening at Arkansas Baptist, and how she was convinced it was the best school for her child.  However, she said her husband worked with several men who send their children to another private school. He thought their child should go to the other school because his co-workers said it was a “good school.”  I found it interesting considering the father has never visited our campus and knows very little about the type of education his child would receive at Arkansas Baptist.

In my short time here, I’ve seen students leave our school, only to return the next year.  I remember one parent who withdrew her child from Arkansas Baptist a couple of years ago  When I asked them why they felt they needed to go, the mother said that her son wanted to go to school with his friends from his soccer team.  I remember thinking at the time, “When did K4 and K5 students begin deciding what school was best for them?” We know that it is both Biblical and practical for parents to be over and guide their children.

So, how should you go about determining where your child attends school?   Weigh all the options – academic rigor, student achievement, curriculum, extracurricular activities — but I’d strongly suggest you make it a matter of prayer.

Just like parents have to make choices, so does each school.  At Arkansas Baptist, we seek to align ourselves with God’s plan.  Our teachers not only pour their lives into their students, but they pray for them faithfully every morning by name.  I pray that the Lord, in His providence, will bring us the right students and then allow us to minister to those students both academically and spiritually.  Our board members pray that their decisions will always reflect His will.  And, our parents actively pray for us.

Seeking God’s direction for Arkansas Baptist has worked for 29 years.  We believe there will never be a conflict in choices at Arkansas Baptist when we acknowledge God as the Head of School.

The Energizer Bunny

Thank you, thank you, and thank you to everyone for helping make our first week of school so successful.  I am especially grateful to our teachers and students for being tremendously cooperative and helpful as we have begun a new school year.

I extend a special welcome to those of you who are becoming a part of the Arkansas Baptist School community for the first time, and a warm welcome back to those of you who are continuing your Arkansas Baptist experience.  It is an exciting time of the year, with new crayons, backpacks, textbooks and computers.  There is an air of excitement in meeting teachers, seeing old friends, making new friends and facing new challenges and opportunities.

There is one group for which everything is new.  The group is better known as K3, or the Arkansas Baptist Class of 2024.  All 26 children are like a litter of energized bunnies! Their Arkansas Baptist experience begins the first day they step out of the car on the elementary campus and could potentially last for 15 years when they graduate.  The relationships formed in the classroom and on the playground will lead to lifelong bonds.  It is with great anticipation that we watch each one develop academically, socially and spiritually.

I close by saying we are all on the same team!  Working together for the benefit of the students will provide the best opportunity to accomplish our goals for them.  It is with the energy of our K3 students and the Energizer Bunny himself that the faculty and I enter into this school year.  We will just keep going, going and going.  We look forward to the continued growth of all our students.

The New School Year Brings New Opportunities for Excellence

The opening days of school are only a couple weeks away. For many, the past couple of months have been filled with fun and family, with students and faculty enjoying time at the beach or in the mountains, visiting grandparents and cousins, or maybe just relaxing by the pool. Hopefully, the summer break has allowed our families a chance to slow down and spend some quality time together.

It is with much anticipation, excitement, and promise that Arkansas Baptist School begins its’ 29^th year. The renewal of another school year brings continued opportunities to seek our personal best in everything we venture to do. Just as the school has set goals and monitor its progress, so must our student set goals for a successful year. Before the school year starts, talk with your child about setting goals for the school year. Don’t just have the student set goals, but throughout the school year, monitor their progress in reaching their goals

This school year will bring about incredible opportunities for academic, spiritual, and social growth for each student. Parents should be comforted by the fact the school will remain focused on providing a healthy learning environment in which each student is challenged to reach beyond their own perceived limitations. This environment encourages students to become independent learners capable of contributing to a democratic society and to the advancement of God’s kingdom.

I welcome our families—the old and new—into our school community, united in the common purposes of maintaining a healthy school and producing capable, responsible young people who grow in wisdom and strength in the Lord.

Is Regular Church Attendance Important for the Family?

Church leaders spend a great amount of energy, time and money creating new ideas to attract families. But does it really matter if a family attends church?

Hebrews 10:25 says “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I recently read an article by Michael Foust entitled, Children from Religious Families Fare Better. The article was based on a study by psychologist Nicholas Zill, founder of the organization Child Trends. Foust wrote: “Social science data continues to demonstrate overwhelmingly the fact that the family who worships weekly is the greatest generator of human goods and social benefits and is the core strength of the United States.  Policy makers should strongly consider whether their policy proposals give support to such a family structure.  Children are not the only beneficiaries, but also their parents, families, communities and all of society”.

As the leader of a Christian school, I want our students to make a difference for Christ, but in order to for that to happen, those students need a family, school and church reinforcing that goal. The mission of Arkansas Baptist School is to “glorify God by assisting families in the Christ-centered, biblically-directed education of their children.”  Just because parents choose to trust their children to us for their education, it does not relieve the parents of their responsibilities to raise their children to make a difference for Christ.   It makes a huge difference in a child’s life if he or her family worships together at church and in the home.

It’s easy to find excuses for not attending church. I’ve heard people claim that their families can worship in the woods or on the lake or even on the golf course.  While that may be true, it certainly is not what is prescribed in Scripture.

While growing up, my parents believed it was our duty to be in church whenever the doors were open – that included vacations.  We would even find a little Baptist congregation to attend we were on the lake for the weekend. As a small aside: as one who has attempted to play golf for over a quarter century, I have never run across one person worshiping on the course.

Let’s encourage one another to attend church faithfully and pray that God will bless our families, school and our churches.

People Who Have Made a Difference

Everywhere I look — newspapers, television, even at church — I am reminded to make a difference in the lives of others.  So many people do so much for others every day of their lives.   At Arkansas Baptist, we are steeped in a tradition of service.

Over the past four years, I have seen firsthand how two administrators have shared and made a difference in many lives.  It saddens me to say goodbye to these wonderful people. Recently, Nora Yates, our elementary school principal announced her retirement after 40 years in education and 10 years here at Arkansas Baptist. And, just this week, Steve Miller, our athletic director and head boys’ basketball coach, announced that after 15 years at Arkansas Baptist, he will be moving to Wichita, Kansas, to take a similar position at Trinity Academy.

Both of Nora and Steve have impacted the lives of our teachers, students, parents, and friends. I am grateful for their Christian leadership.

Both are extremely strong in their faith and live out it out everyday.  They’ve each been great Christian witnesses to all who have crossed their paths.  I once read a comment by R. G Delnay, who said, “You teach little by what you say, but you teach most by what you are.”  Nora and Steve are tops in my book, but more importantly, I know that they are tops in God’s book.

Critical Thinking and Creativity

Recently, I was scanning educational sites on the internet for articles on creative ways of teaching students. I found a link to a recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “What Makes Finnish Kids So Smart” by Ellen Garerman. The writer of the article was argued for the superiority of Finnish education to American education. For decades it has been said that the American educational system is falling behind some other countries. From kindergarten until today, I have either been in an American classroom as a student, teacher or administrator. That’s almost 50 years. So when I hear American educators are not the best at what we do, I want to help solve the problem, not be part of the problem.

According to this article in the Wall Street Journal, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development determined Finnish teenagers scored first in science and near the top in reading and math, while American students finished “among the C students of the world”. What makes Finnish education different? According to the author of the article, “Finnish high school students have less than a half-hour of homework per night, no school uniforms, no honor societies, no valedictorians, no tardy bells, no classes for the gifted, little standardized testing, few parents agonizing over college and kids don’t start school until they are 7. The author also pointed out that Finnish educators concentrate on weaker students instead of pushing gifted students ahead of everyone else. Bright students can help below average or average students without harming their own progress.

Does it really matter that a Finnish education is so different from an American education? Should we be copying what they do? I don’t necessarily think so because of the many differences in our cultures. However, there is one aspect of the article that I strongly believe would improve the education of our American students. Gareman said she observed consistently strong teaching from well-trained teachers who created lessons to fit their students. This would certainly be a good place to start improving our educational system. American teachers must dispose of 1960s lessons and engage today’s students in appealing and interactive learning processes. In other words we need to give our students what the traditional lecture does not. We need to steer students away from busy work and start immersing them in activities that requires more critical thinking and creativity. Textbook writers and curriculum developers must produce more creative curricula. Teachers must embrace the use of technology in their presentation and afford students the use of technology in the classrooms and media centers.

As Superintendent of Arkansas Baptist School, I pledge to continue challenging our teachers to find ways to engage our students and to encourage more critical thinking, therefore producing a more creative mind.

Students on a Mission

For the past several weeks, our varsity boys’ basketball team has been on a mission. The Class AAA State Championship was at stake. The mission was accomplished on Thursday, November 12th, at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs. The Arkansas Baptist family supported their team throughout the conference, regional and state tournaments. The crowds were huge! The administrators from our opponent schools were shocked at the support shown by our Arkansas Baptist School family. This was the third athletic state championship for Arkansas Baptist this school year (girls golf, boys golf and boys basketball). We also had a runner to win the State Junior High Division in cross-country running. Other notable athletic accomplishments include the varsity football team going to the first round of the state play-offs, the junior high football team finishing 6-2, the junior high boys basketball team winning the conference tournament and several swimmers finishing in the top 10 in the state meet. It has definitely been a successful year in athletics. However, it is not over yet. We have chances to win more state championships in baseball, soccer, softball, and track. Good luck and go Eagles!

This week our students in grades 9-12 have been on another type of mission. They have been serving on the mission fields in Little Rock, Zwolle, Louisiana and Tijuana, Mexico. The goal of their service is to put their faith and beliefs to work. Our students are learning the meaning of hard work, working together to complete a common goal, how to share their faith and witness to others. The 214 students and 20 teachers / staff members will give over 7,800 man hours in one week to honor God’s call to serve others. What a witness for Christ! Even with paint or dirt smeared on their faces, the students have big smiles on their faces and in their hearts. They know their time and effort is going to help others and many opportunities will be given them to witness for Christ.